winding in a continuous and gradually widening (or tightening) curve, either round a central point on a flat plane or about an axis so as to form a cone

a spiral pattern

a spiral curve, shape, pattern, or object

a spiral of smoke

a progressive rise or fall of prices, wages, etc., each responding to an upward or downward stimulus provided by a previous one

an inflationary spiral

move in a spiral course

a wisp of smoke spiralled up from the trees

show a continuous and dramatic increase

inflation continued to spiral